Lewis Hamilton's contract renewal: Wolff reveals 'lawyers speaking to lawyers
Contract renewal talks continue between Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, with finer legal points under negotiation. Despite agreed financial terms, a conclusive timeline remains undisclosed.
Hamilton's yet-to-be-renewed contract with Mercedes is the talk of the paddock, with team principal Toto Wolff refraining from committing to a timeline for the contract’s conclusion.
Contract negotiations underway
While the duration and financial elements of the contract have been agreed upon, it appears the remaining details have held up the proceedings. Wolff confirmed the current stage as "lawyers speaking to lawyers."
Despite the long-standing association between Hamilton and Mercedes, neither side has rushed to finalise the contract.
This patience has been attributed to the emphasis on achieving a mutually agreeable contract that benefits both parties.
Performance at Spa
Hamilton's recent performance at Spa highlights the challenges Mercedes is facing. His fourth-place finish, combined with his two points in the sprint, leaves him a mere point behind third-placed Fernando Alonso in the Drivers’ Championship.
However, Red Bull's Max Verstappen maintains a significant 125-point lead, reinforcing the dominance of Red Bull this season.
The vicious circle
Mercedes is currently contending with a "vicious circle", as termed by Wolff, due to the bouncing issue that plagued them in 2022 and seems to have resurfaced at Spa.
This issue causes the car to bounce excessively on long straights, resulting in overheated tires during braking.
Given the upcoming summer break, Mercedes will have the opportunity to delve deeper into this matter, using the accumulated data to address these technical challenges and break the vicious circle.
Red Bull’s dominance
Verstappen's dominance this season is undeniable. His consistent performance has made him a formidable opponent that Mercedes has yet to surpass.
Wolff also mentioned the competitiveness of Sergio Perez, suggesting that Mercedes is not only racing Verstappen but the entire Red Bull team.
With the summer break ahead, Mercedes faces a critical period of technical review and strategizing to bolster their competitiveness in the remainder of the season.
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